Are you ready to celebrate? On Saturday, the Walt Disney World Resort will be 45 years old! It’s safe to say that Imagineers are getting ready to raise the curtain on a historic celebration, which will be both unforgettable and magical.

My first visit to the resort was in 1974—and like most people who love all things Disney, I was hooked for life—in a very good way. So when I discovered a long-forgotten stash of vintage photographs from my past Disney trips, I knew I had to share them with friends who understood the fantasy that can be found at the “Happiest Place on Earth.” I apologize for the quality of the images in advance, which were all captured with a film camera.

The first time I stepped into Town Square at the Magic Kingdom Theme Park, I entered the park a 20-year-old disco queen—but left a wide-eyed child with visions of pixie dust. From the 1974 photos in my collection, the afternoon parade was a much simpler event with characters who interacted with guests as they walked up Main Street, U.S.A. With no high-tech sound system, Walt Disney World and high school marching bands provided the music. What’s missing in the photograph? There’s no sidewalk tape or ropes that are omnipresent during present day parades.

Fast forward to spring 1982 and the Magic Kingdom Tencennial Parade. I have very few memories of this trip, but was happy to find that I had photos of Minnie and Mickey on their blue and silver tenth anniversary float. The theme song that year was “Walt Disney World is Your World,” which was performed during the parade and at a special stage show at the Tomorrowland Theater. Main Street U.S.A,. looks pretty much the same today as it did in 1982. The trees at the Cinderella Castle hub are gone, but the American flags still fly above the storefronts and the free-standing clock continues to keep guests on time for their FastPass entry times.

In the early 1980s, there was an Epcot bagpipe group that played outside the Trading Post in Canada. This group was long before the arrival of Off Kilter and before the Calendonian Bagpipe Trio. I have seen vintage videos of the bagpipe group, but the videos are few because they were likely recorded using super 8 film. One piece of trivia–Jamie Holton of Off Kilter was one of the performers of the Caledonian Bagpipe Trio.

My photos of Disney’s Hollywood Studios were captured during two trips, both in the early 1990s when the park was known as Disney-MGM Studios. One shot shows a capture that looks down Hollywood Boulevard to the Chinese Theater. The Sorcerer’s Hat had not yet been constructed nor was there a stage that blocked the view of the Theater. If you look closely at the people in the capture, my eyes zeroed in on two things–a man smoking a cigarette and the absence of cell phone selfie captures. And before the Power Rangers had a Meet and Greet on the Streets of America in early 2000s, there were the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The Turtles arrived on a party wagon, danced on stage, then posed for pictures with guests.

The animated film Toy Story debuted in theaters in 1995. To introduce the film, Disney-MGM Studios scheduled a daily Toy Story Parade, which included all the favorite characters from the movie. The parade started with a precision march by the green army men, who were followed by Sarge sending out commands from atop the first parade float. Accompanied by the song “Strange Things,” Slinky, Mr. Potato Head, the Barrel of Monkeys, and others preceded floats that transported the stars of the movie, Woody and Buzz Lightyear.

And finally, the Castle decoration that everyone loves to hate, the Walt Disney World 25th anniversary birthday cake from October 1996 to January 1998. What did it take to create this pretty in pink castle? Four lifesavers; 50 gumballs; 40 gallons of pink paint; 26 candles; 16 candy bears; 30 lollipops; and 1,000 feet of inflatable icing.

Moving on to the turn of the century and to the Millennium Celebration, Walt Disney World added a Sorcerer Mickey arm to Spaceship Earth at Epcot. The arm was topped off with a giant wand festooned with a sparkly 2000. After the celebration, when everyone thought the temporary decoration would disappear, the number 2000 was replaced with the word “Epcot.” In 2007, the wand was removed, and Disney purists breathed a sign of relief.

The last in my vintage photos is an albino peacock. What does that have to do with Walt Disney World? Back in 2001, Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground was home to dozens of peacocks. The birds strutted their stuff through the campsites, spread their feathers, and posed for pictures. But they also pecked on the high-priced RVs and roosted in the pine trees, making very loud and disruptive peacock calls. After complaints from guests, Disney moved the peacocks to the Animal Kingdom.

Over the years, many of our favorite Walt Disney World attractions have gone, but through the magic of photography, they are captured forever. Making memories, making memories, taking pictures is making memories. Catching little pieces of time, making them yours, making them mine.

(Photos from the author’s personal collection.)

Looking for Magic is Kathy @ Two Roads Photo. As a librarian, walker of many miles, and Paper Bag Princess, Kathy dreams of having coffee with Belle at the castle and co-administering a fantasy book discussion group. She can be contacted at imtxag85@aol.com.

]]>http://www.wdwradio.com/2016/09/vintage-views-of-walt-disney-world/feed/247740Day 10 – Top Ten Walt Disney World Family Photoshttp://www.wdwradio.com/2015/12/day-10-top-ten-walt-disney-world-family-photos/
http://www.wdwradio.com/2015/12/day-10-top-ten-walt-disney-world-family-photos/#commentsTue, 22 Dec 2015 14:00:13 +0000http://www.wdwradio.com/?p=44432In the spirit of the well-known song, The Twelve Days of Christmas, our writers will […]

In the spirit of the well-known song, The Twelve Days of Christmas, our writers will be counting up from 1 to 12 as we bring you a numbered, Disney-themed subject on each day leading up to Christmas.

Christmas and Walt Disney World have two important themes in common: family and memory making. One of the best ways to tie the two together is with photographs. Whether you own a high-powered DSLR camera or you prefer to shoot selfies on a smartphone, there is no denying Walt Disney World is home to hundreds of amazing and unique backdrops for photo ops. For WDW fans, what could be better than capturing a perfect family memory for your holiday cards? Though it is likely too late to take advantage of the following suggestions this year; there is plenty of time between now and next year to plan for and obtain the ideal WDW photograph for your custom greetings. In addition to being the focal point of your cards, perhaps, one of the holiday shots you snap will turn out to be perfect family photo for your living room wall, computer desktop, smartphone wallpaper, or wherever you choose to display your favorite family pictures.

A Frosty Castle in Florida

Though it is an obvious choice, no visit to the Magic Kingdom Park during Christmas would be complete without a family photo backed by the beautiful Cinderella Castle Dream Lights. While you can have a Photopass photographer capture a shot in a number of locations, you will not find one stationed at this vantage point. The patio seating areas of Tomorrowland Terrace and Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe offer fantastic unobstructed views of the castle, and the restaurants provide enough light to keep your picture from looking blurred in lowlight. Surrounding tables conveniently serve as a prop/stand for cameras during a timed shot.

Vibrant Victoria Gardens

The Victoria Gardens found in the Canada pavilion at Epcot provide a beautiful and vivid backdrop for a family photo, and there is plenty of space for a group photo.

Enjoying a Favorite Treat

Whether it is a row of little ones lickin’ up melty Mickey’s Premium Ice Cream Bars or the foodie preparing to partake of a delicious pastry, every WDW Fan has a favorite treat and capturing the pure bliss that accompanies the long-awaited enjoyment makes for a great photo.

A Christmas Set-up Just Waiting for You

Throughout the various WDW property at Christmastime, there are fun preset photo areas decked out with holiday topiaries and/or life-size figures that provide whimsical backdrops for a truly Disney-themed picture.

An Exotic Bridge

For those who are known for being happy wanderers or world travelers, the many bridges at Disney’s Animal Kingdom provide exotic backdrops. Depending upon the angle taken, one can capture beautiful scenes of the river, foliage or authentic architecture. (Note: During construction of the Rivers of Light nighttime show, views may be obstructed.)

The Lonely Snowman

He is quite possibly the most-photographed snowman in the world. This kindly gentleman once had an adoring family, but now he stands alone waiting for yours to stop by for a snapshot with him. If sunlight sensitive eyes have you squinting in most of the photos you take in the bright Florida sunshine, this location is perfect as it is shaded from all directions by the surrounding buildings. A heads up about this photo op, you may want to capture yours as soon as possible because Disney’s Hollywood Studios is in a state of change, and this beloved old Christmas friend may have to hurry on his way.

Being a Kid

Walt Disney World is known for its attractions, and nothing says kid-at-heart like a silly on-ride photo. While you can plan ahead and time your pose for the photo taken by Disney, it is also fun to capture a candid shot while waiting in the load/unload area.

A Towering Fireplace

Whether you prefer a silly family photo donned with ugly Christmas sweaters or a more formal portrait, the immense fireplace in Disney’s Wilderness Lodge provides a truly homey feeling complete with rocking chairs.

A Victorian Christmas

The grandeur of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa at Christmastime is unmatched! A fantastic family photo can be taken in the Lobby near the life-size gingerbread house or ascend the staircase to the second floor where the entire enchanted scene is visible.

The International Gateway

Keep your family and friends guessing as to whether you traveled domestically or internationally with a family photo taken at the International Gateway Bridge in Epcot‘s World Showcase. Spanning the channel between the United Kingdom and France pavilions, this location is perfect for a large family and provides a picturesque backdrop both day and night.

(All photos are from the author’s personal collection.)

Where are your favorite places to take family photos in Walt Disney World? Have you ever made a Walt Disney World themed photo card? Let us know in the comments section below, and be sure to join us tomorrow for Day 11 of the WDW Radio Christmas Extravaganza!

Kendall is an editor and contributing writer for WDW Radio. She began visiting Walt Disney World in 1991 with her family and has continued to visit the resort with her husband. Her home-away-from-home is Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and she believes a perfect day at WDW includes a dip in the Lava Pool, a ride on Splash Mountain and a Pineapple Dole Whip. Follow her on Twitter @kl_foreman.

It’s called Memory Maker for a simple reason: It helps you make memories…

Easily.

Seemlessly.

Effortlessly.

Particularly when traveling as a couple, the Memory Maker can be an invaluable tool for having a memorable vacation to Walt Disney World.

If you’re just a couple, and you walk up to a picturesque scene around the parks where you’d like your picture taken together (and, honestly, there are tons of them between the Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom), you’ve only got a few choices … none of which are that appealing:

You can ask some stranger if you can hand off either your expensive digital camera or your even-more-pricey smartphone and pray they fire off a satisfactory snapshot.

Worse yet, you can take a photo of your loved one – just her – in front of, say, Cinderella Castle and snap her picture. Then, switching spots, she can take your photo standing just where she was, and then you’d have two singular pictures with just one of you in each.

Worse still, you can contort your arm, iPhone in hand, as you and your loved one try to squish into the frame and try to hit the shutter button on your phone – applying just enough pressure to hit the red shutter button, but not too much pressure to move the phone and blur the photo – and hope your selfie comes out well. (I abhor selfies, by the way, but I digress…)

That’s where our friends at Walt Disney World come in.

Essentially the second generation of PhotoPass service, Magic Maker utilizes scores of professional photographers in every location imaginable, happy to capture your once-in-a-lifetime moments and instantaneously sync them to your online account. Better yet, those same photogs, who have thousands of dollars of pro gear around their neck, will do double duty – immortalizing your memories on both their camera and yours! For a fee, Memory Makergives you unlimited digital access to all of the photos taken by PhotoPass photographers, on-ride images and videos, Magic Shots, and dining photos for everyone in your travel party.

Speaking from experience, using Disney photographers (whether it was with the former PhotoPass or current Memory Maker system) is the best way to memorialize such milestones like, say, an engagement in front of the aforementioned Castle.

What do you think of the Memory Maker system? Do you ever use Disney’s photographers to enhance your vacation and commemorate your magical moments? Let us know! We’d love to hear what you think…

“New Yorkas” Felicia and Sean are avid Disney fans. Their first vacation as a couple was in Walt Disney World. They were engaged there, and also honeymooned there. After a combined 30 trips to the World, they are self-professed Disney travel agents and enjoy helping family and friends plan magical Disney vacations.

]]>http://www.wdwradio.com/2015/03/couple-things-disney-making-memories-disneys-memory-maker/feed/140965Looking for Magic: Hollywood Streetscapeshttp://www.wdwradio.com/2015/02/looking-magic-hollywood-streetscapes/
http://www.wdwradio.com/2015/02/looking-magic-hollywood-streetscapes/#commentsFri, 13 Feb 2015 15:00:15 +0000http://www.wdwradio.com/?p=40500The World you have entered was created by The Walt Disney Company and is dedicated […]

The World you have entered was created by The Walt Disney Company and is dedicated to Hollywood—not a place on a map, but a state of mind that exists wherever people dream and wonder and imagine, a place where illusion and reality are fused by technological magic. We welcome you to a Hollywood that never was—and always will be. – Michael Eisner, May 1, 1989

What do we like best about Disney‘sHollywoodStudios? So many things! We love how the building facades were inspired by real buildings in the Los Angeles area. We love the Citizens of Hollywood that add to the entertaining streetmosphere and invite you to be part of the show. And, we love the onion rings at the Tune-in Lounge—best in the WaltDisneyWorldResort!

As photographers, we could spend all day capturing images of the neon signs, the architecture, and detailing that can be found in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Here are some of our favorite streetscapes.

(All photos from the authors’ personal collection.)

Looking for Magic is Kathy @ Two Roads Photo and Sean @ Shamrock Photo. Kathy is a librarian, walker of many miles, and Paper Bag Princess, who dreams of having coffee with Belle at the castle and co-administering a fantasy book discussion group. Sean is a fire fighter, pilot, and closet superhero, who would like to join the pack with Tigger to use his bouncy and fun powers to make people smile.

Kathy can be contacted at imtxag85@aol.com
Sean can be contacted at spoc65@aol.com

]]>http://www.wdwradio.com/2015/02/looking-magic-hollywood-streetscapes/feed/140500Looking for Magic: Windows on the World #2http://www.wdwradio.com/2015/01/looking-magic-windows-world-2/
http://www.wdwradio.com/2015/01/looking-magic-windows-world-2/#respondFri, 23 Jan 2015 16:00:24 +0000http://www.wdwradio.com/?p=40093One of the worst things about photography as a hobby is the need to carry […]

One of the worst things about photography as a hobby is the need to carry lots of “stuff.” From cameras to lenses and tripods to filters, carrying photography equipment in the parks can be an exercise in physical endurance.

On our last trip to Walt Disney World, we decided to change it up and use our cell phones’ cameras to capture images on the fly. Thanks to swiftly changing technology, cell phone cameras are making it easier to capture quick, yet quality images. The best part–they are light, fit in your pocket, are uncomplicated to use, and can produce some surprisingly stunning images.

Here’s the best of our cell phone camera captures, which we call our “Window” images. Some of the locations are obvious, but the point of view on some are a bit tricky. Can you guess them all?

Window on Big Hero 6

Window on Change

Window on Fender

Window on Bay Lake

Window on the Rooftops

Window on Friendship

(All photos from the authors’ personal collection.)

Looking for Magic is Kathy @ Two Roads Photo and Sean @ Shamrock Photo. Kathy is a librarian, walker of many miles, and Paper Bag Princess, who dreams of having coffee with Belle at the castle and co-administering a fantasy book discussion group. Sean is a fire fighter, pilot, and closet superhero, who would like to join the pack with Tigger to use his bouncy and fun powers to make people smile.

Kathy can be contacted at imtxag85@aol.com
Sean can be contacted at spoc65@aol.com

Recently, I had the pleasure of attending WDW Radio’s DisneySide @Home Celebration hosted at A Stroke of Creativity in Monroe Township, New Jersey. Our “homework” prior to attending the event was to bring something Disney-related that we had crafted for the ice breaker. To be completely honest, I went into panic mode knowing my sincere lack of artistic talent. As I went through old Disney vacation photos trying to get some ideas, it hit me! I could create a virtual collage of all my favorite things about Disney World!

A few weeks earlier, I had stumbled upon an app called Pic Collage where you can create collages with cell phone photos, web images, and a selection of cool texts and stickers. It has a “School Setting” that allows parents to disable certain web images in the Settings area of their cell phone to give their little ones an opportunity to create their own collages.

Once you create the collage it can be shared on multiple social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, Tumbler and Instagram. It allows you to save your collage as a jpg file to your cell phone so you can text or e-mail it to friends. One of its coolest features is it can be made into a postcard. They turn your collage into a 4×6 postcard that can be printed and shipped anywhere! I am planning on using it to create my 2014 Christmas card!

The app is super easy to use and intuitive. I loved it so much that I created several for friends as part of an inspirational dream board project. Being a professional photographer, I have used it to create a collage project that I incorporated into a slideshow set to music using another app called PicSlide.

What I love most about this app is it allows me to create a variety of collages that inspire me as a Disney fan. My family and I are hoping to move to the Sunshine State in the next few years so we created a DisneySide collage with all of our bucket list items we want to accomplish once we are Disney Annual Pass holders. I am also putting together a collage with photos from my parent’s Disney vacations including photos from their honeymoon in Disney. We are planning on having it printed and framed as a special gift for their wedding anniversary!

Check out the WDW Radio Pic Collage I created here!

There really is so much you can do with this fun app to show your DisneySide! Happy collaging!

Laura has been a Disney fan since her 1st trip to Disneyland at 7 years old but it wasn’t until she met her Florida native husband and his passion for Disney World that she became immersed into all things Disney. She is “DisRunMomLaura” in The Box and loves running Disney races. She and her family’s dream is to one day move back to her husband’s home state of FL to be closer to the House of Mouse and to her WDW Radio friends and family! As Walt says, “If You Can Dream It, You Can It Do It!”

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Hello and welcome to The WDW Radio Show – Your Walt Disney World Information Station. I am your host, Lou Mongello, and this is show #339 for the week of October 13, 2013.

When we visit Walt Disney World, we take a great deal of time planning for our vacation. Where we will stay, when we will eat, and what we will do and see. And while we are there, whether it be alone, or with family and friends, we try to capture the moments, memories, details and stories that we want to save and share. But for most of us, we are not professional photographers. Far from it. So this week, I’m joined by someone who will help us all learn how to take better photographs in Walt Disney World, in our Disney Photography 101 show. We’ll discuss everything from camera gear to shooting with your smartphone, do’s and don’ts, lighting, shooting at night, fireworks, on-ride photos, what to do after you get home an much, much more. When we’re done, you’ll have some actionable tips and tricks to take better photos on your next trip.

I’ll have the answer to our last Walt Disney World Trivia Question of the Week, and pose a new challenge for your chance to win a Disney prize package.

Stay tuned as I’ll have some updates and announcements and more of your voicemails at the end of the show. So sit back, relax, and enjoy this week’s episode of the WDW Radio Show.

]]>http://www.wdwradio.com/2013/10/show-339-disney-photography-101-tips-tricks-take-great-photos-walt-disney-world-october-13-2013/feed/531590Looking for Magic: Look! Up in the Sky!http://www.wdwradio.com/2013/08/looking-for-magic-look-up-in-the-sky/
http://www.wdwradio.com/2013/08/looking-for-magic-look-up-in-the-sky/#commentsWed, 21 Aug 2013 14:11:05 +0000http://www.wdwradio.com/?p=29648by Kathy & Sean What has stood for years as the symbol of Disney futurism […]

What has stood for years as the symbol of Disney futurism and is identified by colors that include red, coral, orange, gold, yellow, teal, lime, green, blue, silver, black, and peach? The Walt Disney Monorail System, of course!

Creatively efficient, the Walt Disney World monorail is the most heavily used system in the world. It may be an innovation in transportation, but for most guests, it’s just plain FUN.

Do you have a favorite monorail or monorail “skin”? Post your thoughts in the comments below.

Looking for Magic is Kathy @ Two Roads Photo[K1] and Sean @ Shamrock Photo[K2] . Kathy is a librarian, walker of many miles, and Paper Bag Princess, who dreams of having coffee with Belle at the castle and co-administering a fantasy book discussion group. Sean is a fire fighter, pilot, and closet superhero, who would like to join the pack with Tigger to use his bouncy and fun powers to make people smile.